July 16, 2012
Well hello family!!! What a week. I can't believe it's preparation day again already. Time flies when you are having this much fun spreading the Gospel. Sister Wainright and I have had some pretty wonderful experiences lately. Every Friday we have weekly planning where we plan out how we can efficiently do all that we need to in the upcoming week. We also set goals on different mission standards that we are to hit. We have worked really hard to accomplish those goals, but with only 45 minutes left till we called in our report, we realized we were a little short. We said a prayer, and got right to work. Heavenly Father gave us miracle after miracle right down to 10 o clock when we stopped and realized we hit all our goals. I know that God is with us as we do His work and try our best. We absolutely cannot do it alone, but with His help and guidance we are given strength beyond our own. Sometimes it is scary... scratch that, every time it is scary going up to a person you don't know and telling them about Jesus Christ. However, as I remind myself that they are God's daughter and this message will bless their lives in countless ways, that fear gets pushed aside and we do it. My companion is a great example to me and I learn so much from her every single day. Sometimes we get rejected, but then I remind myself that sometimes we don't! For example, this week I was at a light and stopped to talk to a woman. She rejected immediately and I turned to the other side and there was Sandy. She reached out for the pamphlet without me even saying anything. I handed it to her, explained who we were, and we pulled over to the side of the road and set up a time to meet so she could learn more about Jesus Christ and His love for her. She came to Church the next day and we have had 3 lessons with her since and her baptism is set for next month. The great thing is that we never know whether they will accept or reject our happy message, so we get to talk to everyone! Maybe this time they aren't interested, but perhaps next time they will be. I absolutely love this work. I've never been more tired yet satisfied in my life.
Monday: We stopped at the chapel to use the restroom and walked in to find 3 girls just standing there. 2 were not members of our Church and 1 was a recent convert. She wanted to show her friends the chapel, so they biked 40 minutes just to come see it. We happened to come at that exact time and were able to show them around and then sit down and have a lesson with them. We are meeting with them later this week too. The funny thing is we never ended up using the restroom. God really does prepare people and puts them in our path!
Tuesday: We had a Zone training meeting and practiced contacting (that's when we are stopped at red lights and talk to everyone there stopped with us) Not 2 minutes after we left the meeting, we met a woman with 2 little boys. It was just like we practiced, she has been meeting with us since, and wants to be baptized next month.
Wednesday: Remember Sandy? We met with her on Wednesday and she told us that she had just broken up with her boyfriend when we met her. Literally just... her boyfriends house was on the corner we met her at. She said she knew immediately that this was something that could give her happiness and was so grateful we met/
Thursday: There is a woman with a son who's husband will not let her be baptized. We invited her to practice sharing her testimony with her husband just as we missionaries practice sharing the gospel with our companions each morning. We had a great time practicing with her and her son and it was so fun.
Friday: we were about to eat dinner and asked if we could join these 2 girls we didn't know. They said yes (because Taiwanese people are always polite) and we ended up having a great time and are meeting with them later this week.
The point is, none of this is our doing. It is all the Lord. Everyday He gives us countless miracles. These are only a few. I barely speak Chinese, but His spirit can testify of truth and that's what they feel. I love it here in Taiwan and shall write more next week. I love you all so much!!! I hope all is well with baby Ryan and Shari's baby #5 :) Can't wait to meet them when I get back! Have a great week and know that you are loved!
Love, Sister Smart
ps Yes, the mission address is the right one. I think it takes about 2 weeks for mail to get to and fro. Could you write my address on fb so folks write me if they want? Thanks Momma and Poppa. You are both the best
No comments:
Post a Comment